Tigers fall to Big Green in first round

Though Princeton (10-6 overall, 6-2 Ivy League) narrowly beat Dartmouth (10-6, 6-2) just two weeks ago, 15-13, the Big Green came ready to fight, and the score was close the entire game — it was tied seven times.

Dartmouth started strong with three goals in the first eight minutes of the game. The Tigers responded with three even quicker. goals — from senior attacker Jaci Gassaway, junior attacker Mary-Kate Sivilli and freshman attacker Alexandra Bruno — within three minutes in order to tie the game at 3-3.

Bruno, Gassaway and sophomore midfielder Erin Slifer helped Princeton to a one-point lead, going into the half up 7-6. Bruno had a hat trick in the first half.

Though they ended the half with a three-goal streak, the Tigers were not able to keep the momentum going at the beginning of the second, as Dartmouth opened with two quick goals.

Slifer, sophomore attacker Erin McMunn and junior midfielder Sarah Lloyd helped keep the score tight during the second half, but the Tigers were not able to finish off the Big Green. The second half ended tied 10-10.

The first overtime ended with only one shot on goal — a failed attempt by Slifer with eight seconds remaining. The second overtime ended with a goal off of a free position shot by Dartmouth attacker Hana Bowers.

Head coach Chris Sailer predicted before the game that the draw controls would have a big effect on the outcome, since the same was true the last time Princeton met Dartmouth. Princeton dominated in that area during overtime, winning all three draw controls during both extra periods, but was not able to capitalize. Dartmouth outperformed Princeton during regulation, winning 15 of the 25 draws.

When it came to errors on the field, the Tigers were not on top of their game. The Orange and Black had 11 turnovers and 36 fouls, compared to the Big Green’s six turnovers and 13 fouls.

These fouls were costly for Princeton — a foul in the last five minutes of the second half gave Dartmouth the opportunity to tie the game with a free position shot, and a turnover followed by a foul in the second overtime led to the game-winning free position goal.

The loss came despite a solid showing from junior goalie Caroline Franke, who saved 12 shots on goal, double the number saved by Dartmouth’s Kristen Giovanniello. The Tigers also had a 50 percent success rate in terms of shots on goal, while the Big Green only successfully put 37.9 percent of its shots in the net. Likewise, Princeton won 13 ground balls compared to Dartmouth’s 10.

On Sunday night, it was announced that Princeton earned an at-large bid to compete in the 2013 NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Tournament. The Tigers will kick off tournament play against Duke on May 10 in Annapolis, Md. The winner of that game will advance to the second round to play the winner of the Navy/Monmouth game.